Muhammad Yaqoub
The film and entertainment industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advanced computational technologies and the global expansion of streaming platforms that increasingly position audiovisual content as borderless and immediately accessible. However, this promise of expanded access is accompanied by substantial cultural, economic, and institutional tensions. As artificial intelligence and algorithmic distribution systems reshape the conditions under which films are produced, circulated, and received, national cinemas, established labor structures, and localized modes of storytelling are confronted with challenges that extend beyond technological innovation alone. Rather than functioning merely as instruments of modernization, these developments raise critical questions regarding cultural specificity, creative autonomy, and the long-term sustainability of regional film industries. This evolving landscape may be understood as a defining feature of the post-cinematic age, in which virtual production, the metaverse, and algorithmic curation generate new realities for producers, distributors, and audiences, while compelling regions across Asia, Africa, and beyond to reconsider the forms, meanings, and futures of cinematic storytelling within an increasingly interconnected media environment. Impacts of New Technologies and Media Platforms on the Global Film Industry advances a comprehensive, cross-cultural understanding of how digital transformation is reshaping the global film and entertainment ecosystem. This book unpacks the disruptive effects of AI, the Metaverse, and over-the-top streaming platforms on traditional models of film production and distribution, while highlighting regional case studies that challenge Western-centric narratives of media evolution. Covering topics such as animation production, generative video, and virtual reality, this book is a fundamental academic resource for graduate and doctoral students, filmmakers, independent producers, media economists, industry analysts, streaming platform executives, entertainment industry consultants, and more.
